What is Liposuction? How is Its Surgery Performed?

The number of fat cells in the human body does not increase after puberty. Therefore, the number of fat cells in the bodies of adults remains constant. However, although the number of fat cells does not increase, there may be an increase in volume depending on the increase in weight in cases where more calories are taken and not spent. Although the most effective way to get rid of excess weight is to have a balanced diet and do regular sports. Some people’s body fat accumulations become resistant to regular diet and exercise. 

Liposuction, also known as lipectomy or lipoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery performed for the purpose of body shaping, and in this method, the fat cells in the application area are permanently removed and the body is shaped. However, liposuction should never be considered as a weight loss method. Liposuction, which can be applied to many different areas such as hip, neck, back, chest, thigh, abdomen, arm, jowl, and knee, can be combined with cosmetic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty or breast augmentation when necessary.

In the liposuction method, a special liquid is injected into the area where there are fat deposits resistant to sports and diet, and the area is swollen. A few mm-long incisions are made at or near the application area, and thin-tipped metal pipes, called finished goods, are placed in the lower layer of the skin. When the vacuum device, to which the cannulas are connected with transparent hoses, is operated, the cannulas are moved in accordance with the characteristics of the region and excess fat is removed from the body. This process is continued until the desired body contour and a smooth skin surface are obtained. 

Before and After Liposuction Surgery

In order to get the most effective results from liposuction surgery, some points should be considered before and after the surgery. As is the case with all operations, it is very important to work with a surgeon who is an expert in their field and has sufficient experience in liposuction surgery. Before the liposuction application, the patient should have adopted a healthy diet and started exercising regularly. Likewise, smoking and the use of blood thinners should be avoided at least two weeks before the operation.

The body develops a natural response to fill the treated area with fluid after liposuction. Wearing a compression garment during this period is not only an effective method for reducing swelling and pain caused by the application, but also beneficial for the body to take its new shape. It is recommended to use compression garments for at least two weeks until the swelling has healed. 

After liposuction surgery, the patient should consume plenty of fluids. Since there will be swelling in the body for a few days after the application, the need for fluid increases to avoid dehydration. An important factor in improving the long-term outcome of the operation is determining a healthy lifestyle and limiting calorie intake. Although fat cells in the application area are permanently removed, if weight is gained, the volume of fat cells may increase. Therefore, a healthy diet should be adopted in order to maintain results.

Patients should not remain inactive during the recovery period after liposuction surgery. Although walking at a slow pace reduces the risk of blood coagulation after the operation, tiring exercises should not be preferred for 4 weeks after the operation.

Within a few weeks after the operation, the swelling in the application area begins to gradually decrease. Mild swelling may occur for several months. The final result is seen in about a few months. 

Are Liposuction Results Permanent?

With liposuction surgery, the fat cells in the application area are permanently removed. Despite this, the fat storage properties of the remaining cells continue. Depending on weight gain, their volume can also increase. In order to ensure the permanence of the results obtained, a healthy nutrition program should be adopted, regular exercise should be done, and plenty of water should be drunk. 

In cases where there are skin sagging as well as regional fat, the liposuction method alone may not be sufficient. In this case, the need for lifting surgery may also occur.

The amount of fat to be removed in liposuction surgery is determined according to the application area, the person’s health status and age. In order to achieve the most proportional and most natural appearance possible, care should be taken to determine the amount of fat to be taken in the most accurate way. Liposuction surgery can be applied to people over the age of 18 who have suitable conditions for the operation.

Since it is an operation performed under local anesthesia, patients do not feel pain during liposuction. It is considered normal to feel pain for a few days after the application, depending on the scope of the procedure, the technique, the application area and the amount of fat taken. The use of simple painkillers prescribed by the doctor for the relief of this pain is an effective solution. 

Although it varies according to the procedure applied, small incisions may be made in liposuction surgery. Since these incisions are millimetric and very small, the possibility of scarring is low, but the skin structure of the person is also an important factor in this regard. 

Liposuction is one of the procedures applied not only to women but also to men, and it is generally preferred to apply the liposuction method in order to obtain a more shaped appearance in the abdomen in men.